Coin: Tetradrachm, Macedonia

This Greek coin is a Tetradrachm from Macedonia in northern Greece. It was struck in the mid-4th century BCE. The obverse is a profile of young Hercules, son of Zeus and symbol of strength, clad in his typical lion’s skin. The reverse is a seated Zeus, Greek king of the gods. In his right hand he holds an eagle and in his left, a scepter. Above Zeus are the letters ΒΑΣΙΛΕΩΣ (Beta Alpha Sigma Iota Lambda Epsilon Omega Sigma) the Greek word for king. To the right of Zeus are the letters ΛΕΞΑΝΔΡΟ (Lambda Epsilon Xi Alpha Nu Delta Rho Omicron) (the initial Alpha appears to have not made it on the coin) for Alexander the Great.